Vehicle bolster



Jan. 17, 1928.-'

c w WHITE K VEHICLE HOLSTER med June 4. 1924 Patented Jan. 17, 1928.

N u'lal'lrsiin STATES PATENT l osi-1cm @met wasser wana or Noamteammates. vra/MONT.

vaHICLa BOLSTEB.

` Application llled` 11.11104,

`This invention relates to vehicles, and particularly to the connectionbetween the traction members and the body part. Al though applicable tovarious types of'vehicles, the invention is of especial value in`connection with small vehiclesfor children, where a light, yetL strongand durable construction is desirable.

An objectof the invention is to provide an improved construction ofbolster and bracing for vehicles, which `will require little material;which will be light in weight, rigid, durable, and strong; which may bemade attractive in appearance; and which is relatively inexpensive.Various other objects and advantages will appear as the description ofthe invention proceeds, and the novel features will be particularlypointed out hereinafter in appended claim.

In the accompanying drawing:

Figure 1 is a longitudinal sectional elevation of the rear end of achilds vehicle, constructed in accordance with the invention, theelevation representing a section taken approximately along the line 1 1-of Fig. 2.

2 is a transverse sectional elevation of the same, the lineof sectionbeing approximately along the line 2-2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a sectional elevation, on a slightly larger scale, of aportion of the construction, and

Fig. 4 is a front elevation of the shown in Fig.`3.

In the illustrated embodiment of the invention, the seat, platform orbody part 1 of thevehicle ,may be of any shape or material, and isusually although not necessarily of wood. A strip 2 of fiat sheet metalis bent upon itself into a somewhat U-shaped form of belsterpiece, theupper or free ends of the arms thereof being bent toward one another toform angular terminals 3, which are secured against the under face ofthe seat 1 in any suitable manner such as by screws 4. A metallic tube 5passes through apertures 6 in the opposite arms of the strip, near thebottom or cross portion 7, and, is slightly longer than the distancebetween the outer faces of the arms where` itpasses through them. Theends of the tubes are upset or expanded, so that the tube cannot bedisplaced or removed.

Bearing pins or axles 8 extend into the ends of the tube so as toproject therefrom, and suitable means such as cotter pins 9 pass part1924. serial N o. 71,616,776.

-throughaligned apertures in the tube, axle pins and cross part 7 of theU-shaped bolster piece, so as to secure them alltogether and the pinswithin the tube. Suitable traction members, such as wheels l0,arerotatably `mounted upon the projecting ends of the bearing pins. Thefaces of the depending arms 11 and the cross portion 7 of the bolsterpiece, are preferably provided with one or more corrugations l2 runninglengthwise thereof. so as to increase their rigidity, strength, andresistance to lexure. The depending arms 11 may also be bowed toward oneanother to improve their appearance.

\ The cross portion 7 of the bolster piece, at opposite sides of itscenter, preferably near its ends, is provided with apertures 13. A. pairof brace strips 14 have .reduced tongues 15 which pass through and areanchored in the apertures, such as by clinching, and at their free endsare preferably, separately of one another, secured by suitable meanssuch as screws 16 to the under face of the seat 1, forwardly of thebolster piece. The brace strips 1li are also preferably provided intheir faces `with one or more longitudinal corrugations 17 whichincrease their rigidity and resistance to fiexure.

The brace strips are preferably attached after the bolster piece hasbeen attached to the seat, the tongues 15 being yinserted through theapertures 13 and then secured to the seat 1. over before the other endsare secured to the seat, but I have found that if the clinching is doneafterward, the braces may be drawn tight by the mere act of clinching,which increases the rigidity of the resulting structure. The upper endsof the braces may be securedto the seat by a single screw. but I havefound thatby using separate securing means the screws will not loosen asquickly as if used to secure several braces. This is apparently due tothe fact that a screw will not loosen or pull out as quickly when thepull is in one direction only, as when it is in a plurality ofdirections.

The tubular member 5 adds considerable `strength to the structure, andpermits the The tongues 15 may be clinched` tirely through the tube maybe used if desired. The entire construction can be made from stockmaterial such as rolled strips of metal and standard tubing, and thestrips of metal may be stamped and bent by dies to their proper shapeand size. The structure is therefore relatively inexpensive, and haslightness, strength and rigidity. The side arms of the bolster piece maybe given graceful curves so as to make the structure attractive jinappearance.

It Will be understood that various changes in the details which havebeen herein described and illustrated for the purpose of explaining thenature of the invention, may be made by those skilled in the art withinthe principle and scope of the invention as expressed in the claimhereto a pended and forming a part of this speci cation.

I claim: l

In a juvenile vehicle, aflat metal strip bent upon itself to form abolster piece, a tube passing throu h and connecting the opposite sidesof the lower portion, bearing shafts disposed in the ends of the tubeand projecting from the ends of the latter, traction members carried bythe pro'ecting ends of the shafts, and a locking e ement passing throughthe tube, shafts and strip for securing them all together.

n testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand.

CLARENCE WATSON WHITE.

